Dr. Jessica Liu, ND, Naturopathic Doctor

In my practice as a Naturopathic Doctor, it saddens me to witness the all-too-common occurrence of seeing a new patient who has been diagnosed with breast cancer and wants to use natural therapies to avoid surgery or chemotherapy. Once a malignant tumour has developed in the breast, it is extremely difficult to reverse the process of cancer with natural therapies alone, without surgery or chemotherapy. What patients often don’t understand is that breast cancer never just magically appears in previously a healthy breast. It can take ten or more years of gradual changes in breast cell function before a breast tumour grows to a detectable size.

So what can we do to keep our breasts healthy? Here are some pointers to consider. Breast tissue contains cells that respond to hormones and fatty tissue that stores fat-soluble toxins like synthetic hormones and pesticides. These factors make breast tissue particularly vulnerable to the cellular damage that leads to cancer. The most effective use of natural therapies is to improve function and prevent cancer by promoting the normal, healthy activity of breast tissue. Prevention strategies must begin early when the body is still capable of reversing the process.

Promoting Breast Health

It may be staggering to know that the known risk factors for breast cancer development (including family history, genetics, and prolonged exposure to estrogen) account for only 30% of women diagnosed with breast cancer. The factors affecting the remaining 70% of women appear to relate to lifestyle choices that we individually have the power to change. Reducing the negative effects of chronic stress and optimizing immune function are powerful tools in minimizing the changes of developing cancer.

Effective strategies include:

· Exercise – 4 hours per week can result in a 37% reduction in risk for breast cancer

· Stop Smoking

· Increase your vegetable intake to 5-8 servings per day. Include colourful vegetables for their anti-oxidant compounds and eat more broccoli, cabbage, brussel sprouts and other cruciferous vegetables to make estrogen less toxic to breast tissue.

· Choose Organic Foods – certain herbicides and pesticides have been implicated in breast cancer.

· Decrease or avoid sugar – sugar suppresses the immune system

· Improve lymphatic circulation – dry skin brushing helps your body eliminate the toxins that specifically accumulate in breast tissue.

· Take off your Bra! – wearing a bra for more than 12 hours a day increases breast cancer risk by a factor of 6. Stretchy, cotton bras without underwire allow more movement of the breasts, allowing better removal of toxins from the breasts by the lymphatic system.

· Know your Breasts! – get to know your breasts with gentle massage when you are in the shower. Being familiar with the feel of your breast tissue on a daily basis will make you much more likely to detect any changes.

· Limit Radiation Exposure – repeated x-ray exposure may increase the risk of breast cancer. Infrared digital thermography is particularly useful for women in their 20s to 40s since mammography is not viewed to be accurate in detecting breast cancer in this age group.

· Practice Self Nuturance – our breasts symbolize nurturance. Often we are so busy taking care of others that we forget to listen to our own needs.

In addition to these general guidelines, a Naturopathic Doctor can offer more specific recommendations and assessments based on your individual needs. We can have a powerful program for healthy breasts throughout our lives by combining early detection by thermography with natural strategies to encourage healthy breast function. There is no time like the present to take charge of your life, for the sake of you and your breasts!

Dr. Jessica Liu, ND practices naturopathic family medicine in Burlington, Ontario and Port Credit, Ontario with a special interest in women’s health, pediatrics, and breast cancer. For more information or to arrange a consultation, please visit www.lakesidehealthcentre.com.

For more information on breast thermography, visit www.medthermonline.com.

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